Apparatus for making cementitious articles



Sept. 15, 1942. E. D. BOYLE I APPARATUS FOR MAKING CEMENTITIOUS ARTICLES Filed. March so, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jrwe/mfm, .ZTOWA DDEOYLE Sept. 15, 1942. V E. D. BOYLE 2,296,018 APPARATUS FOR MAKING CEMENTITIOUS ARTICLES Filed March 30, 193$ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 15, 1942.

E. D. BOYLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING CEMENTITIOUS ARTICLES s m a 5 M m N 6 3 4. H W H M m 4 u 5 W 1 a u a 4 a w 9 m z o J 7 3 m 5 m M w m r 1H v m a J n k H m l x m j H w m 1W1 l 8 v I 7 H J EE I .r'/ r In 9 6 .0256 W a 3 Wm a MM w m U wflfl w w mil ug K H \2 f 6 6 w 2 m r/v /M w H 6 1 w. w r 1 7 4. w w a M Wm w 3 /v ijm n J 4 0 5 4 0/0 2 m A? Wm Sept. 15, 1942. E. D. BOYLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING CEMENTITIOUS ARTICLES 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed March :50, 1939 J I k A Ill! Illll] 6 M 6 1 5 l l HI: m H 1% 7 6 rm fl 7 6 EMA/ DDBOYM Patented Sept. 15, 1942 APPARATUS FOR. MAKING CEMENTITIOUS ARTICLES Edward D. Boyle, Valdosta, Ga. Application March 30, 1939, Serial No. 265,035

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for making cementitious articles, and particularly cement pipes.

It is well known that the strength of concrete is greatly increased if the mix is pressed or squeezed after being poured or placed in a mold, to increase the density of the mass. One of the diificulties encountered in making molded concrete articles of maximum strength has been due to the fact that in order to impact the mass into the mold it has been necessary to use substantially less than the normal amount of Water.

The mechanical features of the forms of apparatus used in such a method are advantageous but the practical results do not provide finished articles of maximum strength. Where efforts have been made to employ a greater amount of water in the mix, it has been found that the compressing of the mass makes it necessary to extract water from the mold and no adequate means has been provided for this purpose. Therefore, it has been found that with prior methods and apparatus it was impossible to secure an article of maximum density, and hence of maximum strength.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of making cementitious articles, and particularly concrete pipe, wherein the density of the mass and the strength of the resultant article is greatly increased by maintaining the mass under pressure axially of the mold While simultaneously effecting an axial vibratory movement of the mold to permit the sustained pressure to impact the mass to the greatest possible extent.

A further object is to provide a. method of this character wherein the extracting of the excess water from the mold is greatly facilitated by the use of an externally applied vacuum thus greatly assisting in removing excess Water from the mold and making it possible to start with an initial mix containing a normal amount of Water.

A further object is to provide a novel apparatus for molding concrete pipes and the like wherein one annular wall of the mold is formed as a filter medium to facilitate the expressing of excess Water from the mold and wherein means is employed for facilitating the passage of excesswater from the mold through such filter medium.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to wherein the mix in the mold is maintained under a predetermined pressure applied endwise or axially of the mold and wherein such pressure is employed in conjunction with an axially applied vibratory action to greatly increase the density of the re sultant product, thus resulting in a product of greatly increased strength. v r I A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the mold is adapted to receive a mix containing a normal amount of water and wherein the pressure applied in the manner referred to tends to squeeze excess water from the mold the apparatus being provided with means for utilizing a partial vacuum to assist in discharging excess water from the mold.

A further object is to provide novel means for rocking the mold on its axisduring the filling operation to assist in providing an initial compact mass wholly free fromvoids whereby the compacting means is operable for providing a unifomly dense and unusually strong pipe or similar article. A g

A further object is to provi-de a novel apparatus of this character wherein a single source of power is utilized for eifecting the rocking or oscillating movement during the filling of the mold and foreffe'cting the axially endwise vibratory motion which is used for assisting in providing a dense article or product.

A further object is to provide a mold structure having concentric inner and outer mold members one of which has itsmold face formed of a material liavinga low coefficient of friction when wet to permitsuch mold member to be withdrawn endwise from the article without being opened or collapsed. I

More specifically, an important object is to provide concentric inner a nd outer mold mem bers which are axially movable with respect to each other and the inner member of which has its mold surface formed of rubber or other material having a low coefiicient of friction when wet whereby such inner mold member may be withdrawn axially from the article after the latter has been formed. 7

A further object is to provide such an apparatus having novel means for eifecting move ment of the inner mold member axially into and out of molding position. a

A further object is to provide a mold apparatus having a ram or similar fluid pressure operated member arranged at the top of the mold for transmitting a sustained endwise pressure to the mix in the mold, and to provide novel supporting and counterbalancing means for the ram and the elements carried thereby to facilitate the movement of the ram and its associated elements to and from operative position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus as a whole, parts being shown in section,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus, the floor being shown in section,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken transversely through the separable joint of the outer mold member,

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view through the driving clutch, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 1-1 of Figure 1, parts being shown in elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on line 8-9 of Figure '7,

Figure 9 is a similar view on line 9-9 of Figure '7,

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on line |il|9 of Figure 3,

Figure 11 is a similar view on line of Figure 3,

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the mold and associated elements, parts being broken away,

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of one of the driving arms, parts being shown in section,

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper end of the mold to illustrate the making of a modified form of article,

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one side of the modified form of finished article, parts being broken away, and,

Figure 16 is a detail perspective View of the sheet employed in making the modified form of article.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral l9 designates the floor of a building or any other place where the apparatus is set up and beneath which is formed a pit II in which parts of the operating mechanism of the apparatus are arranged. The floor |9 preferably is in the form of a concrete slab and is provided with a rectangular opening l2 having a rectangular structural frame l3 arranged therein and preferably formed of channel iron as shown in Figure 1.

A table indicated as a whole by the numeral M is arranged within the frame l3 and preferably is of circular shape as shown in Figure 3. The table comprises inner and outer circular elements I5 and I6 having downwardly converging conical engaging faces whereby the inner member l5 seats within the outer member l6. These members may be positively secured together, if desired, by any suitable means (not shown) but no securing means between these elements is necessary as will become apparent. The element l6 forms a permanent part of the apparatus and the inner element I5 is replaceable according to the size or types of similar articles to be made, as will be described later. The element |5 of the table supports a mold structure indicated as a whole by the numeral l8 and comprising inner and outer mold members each indicated as a whole by the respective numerals l9 and 20. These mold members are concentric and of different diameters to form a space in which a concrete pipe 2| or similar article is to be cast.

The inner mold member l9 comprises a cylindrical shell 22 having a surface covering 23 of rubber or an similar material having a low coefficient of surface friction when wet, for a reason to be described. Lower structural elements 25 are provided for supporting the inner mold member in a manner to be described and these structural elements are welded or otherwise secured to a central bearing housing 26. A plurality of braces 21 having downwardly and inwardly extending flanges 28 are employed for bracing the cylindrical shell 22 with respect to the bearing housing 26. The braces 21 have their lower ends turned inwardly as at 21 and secured to the structural members 25. The numeral 21 may indicate either a plurality of braces or a single cylindrical member carrying the angular braces 28 radially arranged as shown in Figure 1. The housing 26 receives an internally threaded bearing block 29 secured in position by a plate 30 or by any other suitable means.

The outer mold member 2|] is in the form of a split cylinder 3| the joint of which is shown in detail in Figure 5, this joint being adapted to be opened to expand the outer mold member for the purpose of removing the article 2| as will be described. The cylinder 3| is provided with filter means lying against its inner face to facilitate the squeezing and extracting of water from the mold in the manner to be described. The filter means comprises a layer of relatively coarse wire cloth 32, adjacent the cylinder 3|, an intermediate shell 33 of a finer mesh wire cloth, and an inner layer 34 of canvas or similar fabric, the filter means preferably being formed of the elements described but being of any form which will provide the desired results. The filter means has its ends turned between the adjacent edges 35 of the cylinder 3|, and clamped in position, together with the edges of the outer mold, by any suitable quick-detachable latching elements 36, pivoted to the plates 31, connected to one edge of the outer mold, and engaging lugs 38, carried by the other edge of the outer mold, as shown in Figure 5. The upper end of the filter medium is turned over the upper end of the cylinder 3| and is received in a clamping ring 3|, This ring is drawn downwardly by bolts 32' passing through ears 33' preferably welded to the cylinder, and the ring includes a sleeve 34' projecting downwardly into the mold for a purpose to be described.

The space between the mold members at the upper ends thereof is closed during operation by an upper pallet 39 which, in the case of the formation of a concrete pipe, forms the spigot end of the pipe. The pallet 39 is slidable in the sleeve 39', the latter protecting the filter structure from damage by the pallet 39. Moreover, the sleeve 34 acts as a gage to facilitate filling the mold with the mix, as will become apparent. If desired, suitable conventional packing means may be provided between the pallet 39 and the sleeve 34 and liner 23 to form leak-proof joints. The lower end of the space between the mold members is closed by a lower pallet 40 which forms the bell end of the pipe. The lower pallet is hollow as indicated by the numeral 4| and the bottom wall of the pallet is provided at spaced points with openings 42 each communicating with openin 43 :(Eigure 19 formed in the .tabIe element :I 5. The flower pallet rests .on the tabl elemen .:l; and is fixed against lateralrnoyemen by lugs 14.8 enga ng the table el ment L5.- The openi s A3 .communipate with an encirclin maniioldfizi :to which is connected a flexible p p 55 from wh h ai is exhaus ed durin thema ing of th art cle 1 .1, th exhaustiqnof .air h me accomp shed y any desired form of recli inc eatin mea s. The p l tfil s shown in i are .112, is pr d d with ap urality of ope i .6 :throueh which wate may drain from th 1 terinsrmean int t e b l ow pa l t 45 h e pressin and extracti or the water is accomplished ;by IBIIBYQCBUIZI means re er ed t an .b theisu ieetio o hemix in t e mol o res u inztheman e t ah describedle thelno ht whe e zfi s withi t tqlamp 3 and ex end beneat thelew e Q t e out mold membenthe fi stru ture.i aerov ded with su tab e means fo ro id n leak-p o oin for ex m e e fllt st u ur a he imp snated wi h rubber cemen or s m la ma a for-tn, in effect, agaslget. Similar means may be employed in the portions of the filter structure wh ehare .fol e o th ed t e splitin th ou e -m d me e whereby a l e o joint is provided between the folds referred to, which contact with each other when the outer rnoldrnernberis closed.

.4 ram ind c e sawhel bi t s numeral 41 is arran ed ab the mol str t a d c mprises a cylinder :48 having a piston 49 arranged therein. As shown in liigure 1 the top of the cylinder is open and the bottom of the cylinder is cl o s ed, and a platform 50 1s Welded tosor otherwise carried ,by the cylinder and is braced with respect thereto by radial webs 5|. A crosshead 52 1s arrangedoverand engages-the upper end of thepiston 149 and is -provide d with radial arms receivable in loops 53 connected to depending chains 54, the lower ends of which are connected to'lugs -55 which are rigidly connected to means to -b edescr ibed. Thechains 54 fix the piston'49 againstupwardmovement whereby the introduc- .tion of fluid pressure into the bottom of the cylinder 46 veifects downward movement thereof to-cause the platform 59 to exert sustained downward pressure on the upper pallet 39. A pipe 56 communicates with the bottom of thecylinder 43 :for theintroducticn of pressure fluid thereinto.

L/leans .are provided for facilitating the handlingof the ram to permit it to be easi ly placed in operative position and removed from such position. An upper crosshead 51 is arranged above the crosshead 52 and is provided with a cprresponding number of radial arms each carrying a depending bolt 58 extending loosely through the 3 111118 of the crossheadhZ and through a flange 5 9 jorrnedat the upper end of the cylinder 48. The center of the crosshead ,5! isconnectedto a cable l or any. other form of flexible element 60 asshown in Figured. This cable passes around pulleys 6! and-62 rotatably supportedin the ad jacenttoppositelends of a cross member 63 and this cross member is rotatably supported ion the upper end of amast M. The other end .of the cable r60 is provided with a counter-weight 65 preferably equal in weight to the sum of the weightsoflthe ram, thechains 54 and the crossheads .52 and 51, whereby the operator .may readily pullsdownw ardly on the outer endof-the cable lfilhto elevate "the ram andvassociated elements .to permit them to .be swung horizont away from voperative position. The ram and as; sociated elements haye been shown in elevated position inEigure 4.

A lower supporting structure is arranged in the pit II and is indicated as a whole by the numeral 66. This structure is made up principally .of structural elements such as channel irons and mayzbe of any desired form, and accordingly the specific elementsof such structure will be referred to only with respect to the elements connected thereto or supported thereby. This supporting structure is arranged over a suitable base plate .or the like 61 arranged in the bottom of the pit. A horizontal reciprscaple actuating member 68 ,is arranged overthe plate 6.1 and is supported forl movernent with respect theretoby a pluralityof rollers 6 9, which maybe conventional bearing rollers and may be fixed with respect toeach other in anylsuitable man,- ner. The member 68 is connected to an actuatine rod 19 sl dab-l n be r n TI a d r ime-- cated in the manner to be desqrihed.

'Asshow in Figure th pe fac o the actuat n membe J is cor u a ed 9 un u ated as nd ated h nume a lith o u ati ns extending transversely of ,the direction of recip ccat o of th m mbe :6 n r ce vin a v plu al of ro 13- VA pla 1 i a ran ed abe t o r J3 a dz prov s w t imilarly undulated lower face resting on the rollers Ihe .m m e sfifle r la he r l rs 6 a d 1 pr fera l Qpe atebetweenha d is we "1) su o te b the term u :5

The pla 1 i r vided wit a up t n ati e he y ticyl d iee st i 1 e ress atl as a a t of-the l a o themel a a ciated elements in a rnanner to he described.

A lower preferably circular frame 1! is arran e us o e th Pla f t i late and ma :b l ld up Q han el 3 sh n a e flf is f ame s P id d w th suitab cross braces in the form of parallel channels I8 andthese channels are connected bya-transverse channel 19 (Figures -1 and 7) which rests on the upper end of the stern -15 through the medium of a thrust bearing construction w. A plate 8| may be arranged on the channels l8 and welded or otherwise secured to the channels of the frame 11 to fill the space therehetween. The plate flvl supports ,a thrust bearingBZ (Figure "7.) which, ,in turn, supports the lower end of an operating screw structure indicated as a whole by the numeral .783. The thrust bearing V8} is split and formed to receive a head .83 on the lower end of the screw structure to prevent up- Ward movement of the latter,,as will loecome apparent. The thrust bearingmaybe bolted as at 84 to the plate 8| andl cha'nnel l9.

"Ifhescrw structure carries a worm .wheel EA driveniby a worm 85 meshingtherewith and car.- ried by a shaft .85 j ournalled in bearing 86 pro.- jecting upwardly from the base of the thrust bearing82. The ends of the shaft .85 project throughbearings 81 carried by vertically extend,- ing supporting members 88, preferably in the form of relatively heav y channels, supported at their lower ends by and secured to the frame TI.

to the upper ends of the channels 88. Accordingly, these channels serve to anchor the lower ends of the chains 54. As previously stated, it is unnecessary to secure the table element I5 to the element I6, and it will be apparent that both of these elements are supported by the structure arranged therebeneath including the channels 88 and 89. The tapered engaging faces I1 serve to center the table element I5 with respect to the element l6 and the latter element is preferably secured to the supporting structure 8889, although the lugs 55 may fit within the openings 90 to maintain the element I6 properly centered with respect to the screw structure 82.

It will become apparent that the inner mold member I9 is vertically movable into and out of the mold and vertical movement of this member is effected by rotation of the screw structure 83. The body of the screw structure is threaded as at 92 and the top portion of the body of the screw structure is reduced as at 93 to be received within a collar 94 which is of the same diameter as the threaded portion 92 and has external threads forming continuations of the threads 92. The collar 94 is threaded in the sleeve 29 and is rotatable in one direction on the reduced end 93, any desired form of overrunning clutch 94 engaging between the stem 93 and collar 94 to prevent relative rotation of the latter in one direction with respect to the stem 93. A thrust collar 93 on the stem 93 prevents upward movement of the collar 94 with respect to the stem 93.

The overrunning clutch may be in the form of a simple dog backed by a light spring 95 to tend to move one end into engagement with a notch 96 formed in the stem 93. When the clutch 94' is in operative driving engagement with the notch 93, the threads 92 and the threads of the collar 94 are arranged as continuations of each other and accordingly it will be apparent that rotation of the stem 93 in a counter-clockwise direction will drive the collar 94, thus moving the sleeve 29 downwardly from the position shown in Figure '1. However, the collar 29 may remain stationary during clockwise rotation of the stem 93 as viewed in Figure 9. This structure permits upward movement of the collar 29 to stop when its upper position is reached with the inner mold member I9 in operative position in the mold.

The lower end of the body of the screw structure is reduced to form a stem 91 on the lower end of which the worm Wheel 94 is suitably mounted to drive the stem 91. Between the threaded portion 92 and the screw 81 an externally threaded collar 98 surrounds the stem 91. The collar 98 is rotatable with respect to the stem 91 when the latter rotates in a counter-clockwise direction but is driven thereby when it rotates in a clockwise direction by an overrunning clutch 99 similar to the clutch 94. It will be apparent that these two overrunning clutches are oppositely arranged whereby rotation of the screw 92 to tend to cause the collar 29 to run beyond either collar 94 or 98 will result in such collar being freed from connection with the screw structure, thus permitting the inner mold member I9 to have its vertical movement arrested at either limit of movement. When the clutch 99 is in operative engagement with the stem 91, as shown in Figure 8, clockwise rotation of the stem 91 will drive the collar 98 and the threads thereof will form continuations of the threads 92, and accordingly it will be apparent that the sleeve 29 will be caused to move upwardly.

Highly advantageous results are obtained by oscillating the mold structure on its axis, and accordingly means are provided for effecting such oscillation and for supporting the mold for such movement. It will be apparent that the mold structure and associated parts are at least partly supported on the stem 16 (Figure 7) and this stem obviously permits oscillatory movement of the mold structure on its axis. The channel frame structure I3 is rectangular as previously stated and as shown in Figure 3, and the corner portions of such structure are provided with angular supports I00 each of which carries a roller IOI engaging the periphery of the table element I6. In the arrangement shown four of the rollers IOI are employed and accordingly these rollers adequately fix the mold structure against lateral movement while at the same time providing antifriction means for permitting operation of the mold structure on its axis.

The table element I6 is provided at opposite sides with brackets I02 each of which carries a stud I03 on the end of which is arranged a ball I04. The brackets, studs and balls project through suitable elongated openings in the side frames of the structure I2. Each ball I04 is arranged between a pair of complementary socket members I05 slidable in a recess I06 formed in a head I01 as shown in Figure 13. Each head I01 is provided with an opening I08 in the bottom thereof registering with the recess provided between the socket members I05 to permit the head to be lifted as shown in dotted lines in Figure 13 to completely release the head I01 from the associated ball I04. The surfaces of the sockets I05 which engage the ball I04 are shaped to correspond to the latter to form ball and socket connections between the heads I01 and the balls I04. The studs I03 may extend beyond the balls I04 and heads I01 for connection with the brackets I02 by braces I04.

Each head I01 is pivotally connected as at I09 to the adjacent end of a driving rod I I0. The rods IIO are oppositely reciprocated in a manner to be described to rock the mold structure on its axis, and the pivots I09 permit the heads I01 to swing laterally to accommodate the socket members I05 to the arcuate path of travel of the balls I04.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present apparatus provides a mold structure wherein the mold may be oscillated on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mass therein by discharging bubbles of air from the mix, the apparatus also operating after the mold is closed, and sustained pressure is applied thereto by the ram, to vertically vibrate the mold structure to provide a resultant article of great density and strength.

Obviously the load imposed on the parts of the apparatus at the bottom thereof which effect the vertical vibratory motion is extremely heavy and accordingly it is desirable to provide some means for lessening the load on the parts referred to. Referring to Figure 7 the numerals H2 and H3 designate a pair of plates arranged in superimposed relation and provided with anti-friction bearings I I4 therebetween whereby the plate I I2, which engages the structural elements 18 may oscillate therewith. The plate H3 is arranged above the upper flanges of channels I I5 arranged parallel to each other and welded or otherwise secured to the base plate 61. Depending pins II6 are carried by the plate H3 and extend through suitable openings in the flanges of the channels :I IE to fix the plate 113 against rocking movement on theaxisof .the stem 16.

'Bolts .I I8 project upwardly from the plate 61 and may have their heads countersunk in the .bottom of such plate as shown in Figure 7. Four of the bolts are preferably employed, such bolts being arranged in the form of a square for a purpose to be described. Each bolt has its upper end extending through the plate H3 and provided with a nut II9 to limit upward movement of the plate H3, and each bolt is surrounded by a heavy compression spring I20. The bolts H8, and consequently the springs I20, being arranged in the form of a square, are equidistantly spaced from the stem 16 and accordingly the loads imposed on the springs are uniformly distributed with respect thereto. The springs are preferably of such tension as to substantially wholly support the load when the parts are stationary and when the load is at its minimumas when making pipes or similar elements of the minimum size and weight. For allother loads, it will be apparent that the springs at least partly support the load, thus relieving the rollers 69 and 13 and associated parts of at least a'por'tion of the load.

Suitable apparatus is employed for effecting the mechanical operation of the parts described. The operating apparatus is located in the pit beneath the floor slab and is shown at the right hand side of Figures 1 and 3. A shaft I22 extends transversely of the apparatus and is supported at its ends in bearings I23 carried by parallel channels I24 forming a part of the supporting structure 66. Similar parallel structural elements I25 are arranged adjacent the center of theapparatus and also support bearings I26 for the shaft I22. outwardly of the frame members I24 the shaft I22 carries disks I21 each of which is provided with a crank pin I 28 connected to the adjacent end of one of the driving rods I'I0. It will be apparent that when the heads I01 are in engagement with the balls I04, ro-

tation of the shaft I22 will oscillate the mold structure on its axis.

The shaft I22 is provided with a pair of bevel gears I29 and I30 spaced from each other and connected by a drum I3I having parallel flanges I32 to provide a groove receiving a fork I33 arranged on the lower end of a shift lever I34 (Figure 1) by means of which the gears I29 and I30 may be shifted. These gears are adapted to be meshed with a bevel pinion I35 carried by a main drive shaft I36 journalled in bearings I31 and I39 carried by structural elements I39 and I40 forming a part of the supporting frame 66. The shaft I36 may be driven from any suitable source of power.

Shock absorbing means is preferably provided between the gears I29 and I30 and the shaft I22 to minimize shocks incident to the driving of the apparatus. Referring to Figures 10 and 11 it will be noted that the shaft I22 is slotted as at I40 to receive a flat relatively wide driving element I M which is longitudinally slidable in the slot I40 upon sliding movement of the drum IEI. The interior of the drum may be provided with any suitable means such as annular ribs I42 to engage the driving member I M and slide the latter coincidentally with the sliding of the drum I3I. As shown in Figure 11 the drum is provided with diametrically opposite radial ribs I43 spaced 90 from the projecting ends of the driving member I41 and compression springs I44 are arranged in the spaces between the ribs I43 and the projecting ends of the member *I41I. Power is thus transmitted to the shaft I22 by the member I4I with the spring I44 actingas cushion driving means. i

The gears I29 and I30 are so spaced as to permit them to be moved to a neutral position with both gears out of engagement with the driving pinion I35 and any suitable conventional means (Figure 4) may be employed for holding the shift lever :I34 in its neutral or driving positions. When the shaft I22 is being driven to perform any of its intended functions it will be apparent that the di ks I21 will be driven, and

means is provided for lifting the arms I I0 to disengage the heads I01 from the balls I04 when it is not desired to oscillate the mold. A transverse shaft I45, journalled in suitable bearings I46, is provided outwardly of the frame members 124 with depending arms I41 connected to rods I48 and each of these rods is connected to one end of a bell crank lever I 49 (Figure 13) pivotally supported as at I50 and carrying a roller I'5I engagea-ble beneath one of the arms '0. Accordingly, rocking of the shaft I45 is adapted to engage or disengage the heads I01 from the balls I04. The upper end of each bell crank lever I49 is extended slightly beyond its roller I5I and is bifurcated as at I5I' to receive the lower edge of the adjacent rod '0 to act as a guide for the lattenparticularly while the rods I'III are bein raised and lowered. A lever I52 is employed for rocking the shaft I45.

Between the parallel frame members I25, the shaft I22 is provided with a crank I 53 (Figure 3) and a connecting rod I54 is connected at its respective ends to the crank I53 and tothe upper end of a lever I55 (Figure 1) this lever having its lower end pivoted as at I56 to a channel I51 forming a part of the supporting structure 66. 'A second lever I58 is also pivoted at I56 and has an upper end I59 extending upwardly above the pivot. A sleeve I60 is slidable on the lever I55 and upon downward movement is engageable with the lever end I59 to lock the levers I 55 and I58 together under which conditions operation of the connecting rod I54 will rock the lever I58. A rod I6] is connected to' the sleeve I60 and extends upwardly through a suitable opening in the floor slab I0 to be grasped by the operator to move the sleeve I60 upwardly and downwardly. The sleeve I60 may be frictionally 'engageable with the lever I55 to prevent it from accidently sliding downwardly or any suit-able means .(not shown) may be provided for this purpose. The lower end of the lever I53 is pivotally connected at I62 to one end of a connecting rod I63. This rod has its other end pivotally connected at I 64 to the adjacent end of the rod 10. When thesleeve I60 is moved downwardly to engage the lever end I59, it will be apparent that the operation of the crank I53 effects reciprocation of the actuating member 68 (Figure 1) through which the vertical vibratory motion is transmitted to the mold structure. The shaft I22 is also employed for driving the worm structure 83 to raise and lower the inner mold member. The shaft I22 is provided with a worm I65 meshing with a worm I65 carried by a vertical shaft I61 journalled in upper and lower bearings I68 and I69, the former of which is carried by the cross member I39 extending between. the channels I25. The lower end of the shaft I61 is provided with a worm I1I (Figures 1 and 4) meshing with a worm wheel I12 carried by a shaft I13. On opposite sides of the worm wheel I12 the shaft I13 is journalled in bearings I14 supported on structural members I15. The bearing I69 is supported on the tops of the bearings I 14, as shown in Figure 1. Adjacent its other end the shaft I13 is supported in a bearing I16 carried by a structural member I11.

A clutch indicated as a whole by the numeral I 18 (Figures 1 and 6) is operable for connecting the shafts 85 and I13. The clutch comprises a pair of clutch elements I19 and I88 the latter of which is keyed on the shaft 85. The clutch element I19 is splined on the shaft I13 and is grooved as at IBI to receive a fork I82 carried by an operating rod I83. This rod is slidable in bearings I84 and I85 and a spring I86 is arranged between the bearing I84 and a collar I81 to urge the clutch element I19 away from the clutch element I88. Accordingly, the clutch elements are biased out of operative engagement and in such positions of the clutch elements the mold structure is free to oscillate on its axis.

A depending crank arm I88 (Figure 1) has its lower end engageable between pins I89 carried by the rod I83. The arm I88 is carried by a shaft I98 journalled in the bearing I9I. An upwardly extending crank arm I92 is carried by the shaft I98 and is pivotally connected to one end of a rod I93. The other end of this rod is connected to the lower end of a lever I94 which is pivotally supported by the shaft I45. The lever I94 is provided with a conventional latch mechanism I95 engageable with a quadrant I96 supported on the top of the floor structure I8. lever I52 may be similarly latched with respect to a quadrant I91, these two quadrants being shown in end elevation in Figure 4.

In order to connect the clutch elements I19 and I 88 it is necessary for these elements to be approximately aligned after oscillating movement of the mold structure has taken place. Accordingly, one of the structural supports 88 (Figure 1) is provided with an outstanding lug I98 and a tension spring I99 extends on opposite sides of this lug as shown in Figure 3 for connection with brackets 288 (Figure 1) carried by the frame members I24. The springs I99 are suificiently strong to properly center the mold structure when the heads I81 are disconnected from the balls I84 but do not interfere with the oscillation of the mold structure.

The apparatus lends itself readily to the making of concrete pipes lined with asphalt or the like, as illustrated in Figures 14, and 16. Such lining of the pipe will be referred to more particularly later but it consists generally in coating a fiat sheet of paper 28I of the proper size with a layer of asphalt 282 which is coated, before drying, with a layer of sand 283 whereupon the paper is wrapped around a cylinder 284 arranged above and in axial alignment with the inner mold member. The cylinder 284 is of the same diameter as the external diameter of the mold member to permit the sliding of the paper, with the asphalt and sand thereon, downwardly over the inner mold member, after which the pipe is molded in accordance with the operation of the apparatus to be described. The finished pipe made with the asphalt coating is shown in Figure 15, the paper having been removed.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming that the ram has been elevated and swung clear of the molding apparatus and that the upper pallet has been removed, and assum- Theing that the inner mold member or core mold is in the operative position shown in Figure 1, the mold is ready to be filled. Under such conditions, the lever I94 will be moved to the right of its position shown in Figure 1 to disengage the clutch I18, whereupon the lever I52 will be moved to the position shown in Figure 1 to drop the heads I81 into engagement with the balls I84.

Assuming that the gears I29 and I38 are in neutral position, the operator will move the lever I34 to bring either of these gears into engagement with the driving gear I (Figure 3). It will be obvious that the shaft I22 may be rotated in either direction to effect reciprocation of the arms H8 and thus impart rocking movement to the mold structure. Initial driving engagement of the gears referred to will be cushioned by the shock absorbing mechanism shown in Figures 10 and 11. The entire mold structure thus will be oscillated on the axis of the mold and the mix is poured into the mold during such oscillatory movement. In filling the mold, the lower edge of the sleeve 34' may be employed for determining the depth of the mix, the latter being poured to a small predetermined depth above the lower edge of the sleeve 34', depending upon the size of the mold. When pressed, the surface of the mix will move down to about the lower edge of the sleeve 34'.

The oscillating operation is important inasmuch as it serves to compact the mix in the mold to eliminate voids, all air bubbles being discharged from the mix. In this connection attention is invited to the fact that in order to secure dense molded concrete articles it has been the practice to use a minimum amount of water in the mix because of the difficulty of expressing water from the mold in order to permit the concrete to be impacted. With the present apparatus a normal amount of water may be employed and accordingly the oscillating movement referred to effectively rids the mix of all occluded air, thus preventing the presence of any voids in the finished article.

After the mold has been properly filled the operator will place the upper pallet 39 in position, whereupon the :cross arm 63 (Figures 2 and 4) may be readily swung on the axis of the mast 64 to place the ram in axial alignment with the mold. The counterbalancing weight 65 is then pushed upwardly to permit the platform 58 to seat upon the upper pallet, whereupon the chains 54 will be connected to their respective arms of the crosshead 52.

The compressing and densifying operation is now ready to take place and it will be obvious that before such operation is performed it is desirable to disconnect the heads I 81 from the balls I84. The clutch I18 is left disengaged during the impacting operation as will be apparent. The operator will admit fluid pressure through the pipe 56 to the ram cylinder to create a sustained downward force on the upper pallet, whereupon the vertical vibratory movement may be imparted to the mold. The apparatus is preferably stopped with the lever I (Figure 1) in alignment with the lever arm I59, whereupon the operator will push downwardly on the handle I6I to slide the sleeve I68 over the lever arm I59, thus connecting the levers I55 and I58 together as a unitary lever. The gears are then again shifted to effect reciprocation of the actuating member 68. Since this reciprocation will be effected by the crank I53 through the connecting rod I54 and the levers referred to, it will be apparent that the direction of rotation of the shaft I22 is unimportant and either gear I29 or I30 may be engaged with the driving pinion I35.

The rollers 69' support the actuating member 68 .for horizontal reciprocating movement over the base plate 61 and the movement of the member 68 is guided by the guiding means shown in Figure 7, namely, the guides I5. The action of the rollers I3, operating over and against the undulated faces of the members 68 and I4 imparts a sharp vibratory movement to the entire mold structure through the frame members 88, and this operation is performed while the pressure against the upper pallet 39 is maintained by the ram. The maintenance of this pressure together with the vertical vibratory motion imparted to the mold structure serves to impact the concrete in the mold to provide a uniformly dense article the strength of which is much greater than in (pipes and similar articles molded with convens tional forms of apparatus. As previously stated, the mix is ,placed in the mold with the usual amount of water therein, or at least substantially more than the minimum amount of water necessary, in which case the absorption of the water by the concrete will take place to a far greater extent than when the minimum amount of water is employed, thus resulting in increasing the strength of the resultant article not only because of the impacting operation but also because of the high degree of water absorption. It will be apparent that during the subjection of the mix to pressure and vibration, the pressure created in the mix will tend to express water therefrom.

The water flows through the canvas or similar lining 34 of the outer mold, thence through the fine mesh wire 33 and into the meshes of the coarse wire 32, whereupon it is free to flow downwardly through the opening 46 (Figure 12) and into the space 4 I The expressing action may be greatly increased by the means employed for creating a partial vacuum in the space 4|. The pipe (Figure 1) is connected to a source of vacuum to maintain a substantially reduced pressure in the manifold passage 44 and accordingly in the passages 43 and space 4| through the openings 42. This operation greatly facilitates carrying excess water from the mold, thus also facilitating the production of a concrete article of great density.

After the impacting operation has been completed the article is ready to be removed from the mold. The operating parts of the apparatus may be temporarily stopped and the operator will pull upwardly on the handle I6I to disengage the sleeve I30 'from the lever arm I59. The operator will then disconnect the chains 54 from the crosshead 52, whereupon the operator may pull downwardly on the cable 6!] to lower the counterweight and thus elevate the ram structure, as shown in Figure 4. The ram then may be freely swung away from the mold. The upper pallet is then removed and this operation is facilitated by transmitting a rocking movement to the pallet about the axis of the mold while pulling upwardly on the pallet, the rocking movement assisting in breaking the vacuum which will be created beneath the pallet when a lifting force is transmitted thereto.

It will be apparent that upon the conclusion of the oscillation of the mold structure the springs I99 will have automatically returned the mold structure to its normal position with the clutch elements I19 and I in alignment. The operator will now move the lever I95 to the left to the position shown in Figure 1, and will latch it in such position, it being necessary to fix the lever I9 3 against movement to the position referred to since such movement takes place against the compression of the spring I83. This operation engages the clutch elements I79 and I86), whereupon the screw structur 83 is ready to be operated to withdraw the core mold from the mold structure.

The screw structure may now be rendered operative by engaging one of the gears I29 and 35 with the driving pinion I35, the gear empioyed depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft I35. Assuming that the gear I33 is to be employed, this gear is shifted into engagement with the pinion I35 whereupon rotation of the shaft I22 will drive the shaft i6! through the gears and its (Figures 1 and 3) and the shaft is? will drive the shaft I13 through the gears Ill and I''Z (Figure l). The shaft 85 thus will be driven through the clutch I18, and the worm will drive the screw structure through the worm gear as. The screw structure will be rotated in. a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in; Figure 9, in which case the collar 94 will be locked by the overrunning clutch 94' to the stem 93 to be positively driven with the body of the screw structure. Accordingly it will be apparent that the collar 84 will rotate within the threaded sleeve is to move the core mold downwardly. Attention is invited to the fact that the core mold is provided with a covering material having a low ccemcient of friction when wet, such as rubber, accordingly the core mold readily may be moved downwardly completely out of the meld. It will be noted that the external diameter of the core mold and its supporting structure is equal to the internal diameter of the table element l5, thus permitting the core mold to be moved downwardly until its upper edge is completely below the bottom of the mold proper.

The outer mold member with the molded article therein is then removed to the site of the curing process, whereupon the outer mold memher is removed by releasing the latches 3B, and returned to the machine for the next molding operation. As previously stated, the article will be of uniform high density, and will possess far greater strength than is true of pipes and similar concrete articles molded with prior types of apparatus. In this connection it is pointed out that a substantial saving in material may be effected since the pipe may be made thinner for apparent however, that the core mold will have been arranged in its lowermost position following its withdrawal from the previously formed arti-ele. Assuming that the gear I29 will have been in mesh with the pinion I35 to withdraw the core mold downwardly, it will be apparent that when the sleeve 29 reached a position solely engaging the sleeve 58 (Figure 7 this sleeve will have been free to remain stationary during rotation of the screw structure, and the latter will be operative upon engagement of the gear I30 with the pinion I35 to move the core mold upwardly.

This operation reverses the previous direction of rotation of the screw structure 83, thus causing the overrunning clutch 99 to form a positive riving connection between the stem 9! and collar 98 to move the sleeve 29 upwardly. When the core mold reaches its operative position the sleeve 29 will solely engage the collar at and since the stem 93 will be rotating in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 9, the collar 95 is free to remain stationary. It will be apparent that the overrunning clutches associated with the collars 94 and 98 serve to prevent any damage to the apparatus through continued rotation of the screw structure after the inner mold member has fully reached either its perative or inoperative positions.

It will be apparent that the apparatus may be employed for making pipes and other similar cementitious articles of different diameters. The outer table element I6 forms a permanent part of the apparatus, but the inner table element I is replaceable for pipes or the like of different diameters, the table element I5 shown in Figure 1 7 being the one employed for making the maximum size pipe for the apparatus. Where smaller pipes are to be employed different table elements will be used having different internal diameters according to the external diameter of the core mold to be drawn therethrough. The external shape and size of each table member I5, however, will be the same in order that there may be proper engagement between the conical faces l'l. Each table member will be provided with a manifold opening 44 and passages 53 and the latter will communicate through openings 42 (Figure 12) of whatever size lower pallet element is intended to be used for the particular table element I5. The platform 59 of the ram obviously is engageable with upper pallet elements 39 of different sizes, depending upon the size of pipe or the like which is being made.

Where an acid-proof lining is desired for the pipe or the like, a piece of suitable paper is cut to a width equal to the height of the core mold and of a length equal to the circumference of the core mold plus a little allowance to provide a lapped joint when the paper is placed around the core mold in a manner to be described. The paper is placed flat on a suitable plate and then is covered with asphalt or the like to a suitable depth, for example, inch. Sand or the like is then sprinkled evenly over the surface of the asphalt and effectively bonds therewith.

A sheet of flexible material is laid over the sand, and the plate, on which the paper has been placed to receive the coating of asphalt and sand, is tilted over to transfer the sheet to the flexible sheet laid thereover the latter sheet serving as a support to facilitate the handling of the paper sheet. The paper sheet with the asphalt and sand thereon is then wrapped around a suitable cylinder 204 (Figure 14) which is of the same diameter as the inner core mold. If the paper is cut in the manner stated its length will be slightly greater than the circumference of the cylinder 204 to overlap the ends of the paper, and these overlapping ends are secured together by applying a coat of asphalt between the overlapping ends and then rolling the cylinder 204 over the joint thus provided to seal the overlapping ends of the paper together.

The cylinder 20 is preferably provided with a depending annular flange of a size adapted to fit within the upper end of the core mold as shown in Figure 14, whereby the cylinder 204 will be centered with respect to the core mold. The outer surface of the core mold and the outer surface of the cylinder 2% will have been previously lubricated and accordingly it will be apparent that the paper and asphalt sheet may be readily slipped downwardly over the core mold. The paper sheet, being of a width equal to the height of the inner core mold will just cover the surface of this mold, and after it has been placed in position the cylinder 284 may be removed.

Upon the removal of the cylinder 204 from the top of the inner mold member, the mold is ready to be used in the manner previously described, the mold being filled while being oscillated on its axis, and then being closed and subjected to the pressure of the ram and the vertical vibratory motion. After the molding operation has been finished the article will be removed from the mold with the paper in position against the inner face of the layer of asphalt 2%. In the curing operation, the paper will be wetted and thus softened, whereupon it may be readily removed leaving the asphalt lining shown in Figure 15.

The use of the sand coating on the asphalt serves three purposes. In the first place, it prevents adhesion of the asphalt to the flexible sheet used to facilitate the placing of the sheet around the cylinder 264. In the second place, the sand facilitates the moving of the paper sheet downwardly over the inner core member, the sand providing an antifriction surface over which the operators hands may be placed to slide the paper downwardly. In the third place, the sand, which was initially bonded with the asphalt, will become bonded with the pipe as the latter is formed, thus causing a close and permanent adhesion of the asphalt lining to the pipe.

It will be apparent that the apparatus is particularly useful in the practice of the method which broadly comprises subjecting the mix in the mold to the sustained pressure as provided by the ram, and simultaneously subjecting the mold to a vibratory motion transmitted thereto 00- axially thereof, thus providing a resultant product of uniform high density and great strength. The method also contemplates the expressing of the water from the mold during the subjection of the mix to the pressure and vibration, and it also contemplates the facilitation of the removal of the Water by the use of a partial vacuum, this step in the method not only reducing the time necessary for the operation of the mold but also facilitating the reduction of the water content in the mix to the desired minimum. The highly desirable results of the method are also greatly enhanced by the first step of the method employed for making the cylindrical articles, namely, the oscillation of the mold on its axis during the filling of the mold, attention being invited to the fact that this step of the method is practicable and advantageous for the reason that the method permits the use of a normal amount of water in the mix whereby the mix is sufiiciently thin to per-- mit the oscillating movement to be effective in removing occluded air from the mix whereby the resultant uniform high density of the article is made possible.

While I have disclosed the preferred practice of the method and the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, it is to be understood that the details of procedure of the method and the shape, size and arrangement of parts of the apparatus may be variously modified without departing from the e ses-1s:

pairor relatively movable" elements; means for positivelyanchoring one of such elementswith respectto saidmoldmembers, the other ofsaid elmentsbeing arranged-to positivelytransmit' a force to said movable pallet --to -effect -a-sustai-nedaxial-pressure thereon-upon the introductionof- 5 fluidpressure into said-ram,- and-meansior-subjecting said mold to an axial vibratory-motion 2-.-A molding apparatuscomprising a mold formed of mold membersadaptedf-to-receive acementitious mix therein, 'said' mold having a stationarypallet; at oneendand an axially m-ov able palletat the otli'er endpa ram arranged ad'- jacent said movable pallet-and comprising a-pair of{ relatively movable elements; means for; positively anchoring one=of such elements with re- 5- spect tosaid mold men'dbers, the otherof said elements-being arranged to positively A transmit a force to said movable palletto effect a sustained axial pressure thereon upon the introduction of" fluid pressure into said ra'm, an actuatingmein her having an undulated -fa'ce, rollers arranged on said race, means for transmitting at least 1 a portion of the weight of said-mold tosaid' rollers} and means for reciprocatingsaidactuating member transversely of the axis of said mold to transmit an axial vibratory motion-to saidmold.-

33A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed "of concentric inner and'ou'ter mold nfeni bers having their axis"vertically' arranged; saidmold-having Ia lower stationary allet andannin 40 per vertically movable pallet which -is remov'able to permit'the filling of the mold; means "connected to oscillate said mold onits axis duringthe filling of the mold to compact the mix therein; and cooperating mean for applying: a sustained" downward force tosaid upper pallet and for. simultaneously subjectingsaid mo'ld'toa vertical vibratory movement to provide aresultant prod uct or'uniformly high density."

4. Amolding: apparatus comprising a mold: formed of concentric inner andoute'r mold members having their axisverticall'y arrange-d, said mold having a lower stationary'pallet and'an upper vertically movable pallet'which is remov able to permit the filling ofthe mold, means "cdr'rnected to oscillate said mold on itsaxi during: the filling of the mold to compact the mix'there in, a ram'arranged above saidmold and. com prising a pair of relatively movable elements, means for anchoring one of such' elements, the other element being arranged to transmit a sus tained downward force to said upperp'alletupon the maintenance of fluid under pressure in 'said ram, and means for subjecting'said' mold to a vertical vibratory motionj 5. A molding apparatus comprising ani'old formed of concentric inner and outer mold 'members having their axis vertically arranged; said mold having a lower stationary? pallet and an upper vertically movable palletwhich' is remov- 7 able to permit th filling of the mold, means connected to oscillate said mold on its axis during x the filling of themold to compact the mix therein, a ram arranged above" saidmold'andcom prising l a pair of relatively movable elements;

other element being arranged to 'transrriita sustamed downward force tosai'd upper pallet upon the maintenance of fluid under pressure saidram -a horizontal actuating-memberbeneatl'i'sa-id rollersarranged ir such fees; means ror' tr nsm ttir'i' td saiid roll'e'rs at'last a portion of the weignt on said mold; ana m'ans for horizontally" reciprocating said actuating member" to effect a vertical vibratory movement' of said mold;

molding. apparatus comprising} afmold formed of a pair of? concentric mold niem-bers,

said mold: having end pallets through" one of" which said innernidld member is slidable, said inner? mold member having its molding l face formedr orr a material'havi'ng: a low coefficient of I friction when wet; an internallythreaded 'sleeve ca'rried by said "inner moldimembena rotatable screw fstructure" threaded in said sleeveandrotatable to 'efiect axia'lmovement of said inner mold into and"outof'molding position, said screw" structure having a" body: provided with collar portions rotatable on the ends thereof and threaded to form continuations thereof,. each collar being connected tothe'bo'dyiof said's'crew' structure by an' overrunning'; clutch whereby, when-saidsleeve movestoward andbe'comes sole 1y engaged" with one of said collars" the latter will-be free toremainstationary'duringi continued rotation i ofthe body ofsaid i screw" structure:

7; A molding apparatu's'comprising a mold formed-of concen-tric inner and outer mold Them-- bers; havingtheir axis vertically arranged, said mold"having-.upper'and lower end p'allets the former of which is removable to permit the filling.

ofthe *mold; means for supporting said mol'dto oscillating movement on its axis,-a pair of outstanding trunnions carriedbysaid mold, a pair of pivoted arms having downwardly op'ening slots engaging said trunnions, means for'oppositely reciprocating said arms to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact th mix in said mold,- said arms" being normally movedupwardly out of engagement with'said trunnion's, means arranged above said mold a for transmitting asustained downward-force to "said upper pallet, the means for supporting-said -mol'd comprising a supportingmember sustaining at least a part of the-weight of said mold, and means for transmitting a' vertical vibratory motion to said supporting member.

8. A molding apparatus Y comprising a mold for'rfifd' of co-ncentric inner and outer mold mem bers having 'their' axis vertically arranged, said mold having upper and lower end'pallets the formeriof'which is removable to permitthe fillingToffthle mold, meansfor supporting said mold fo'r oscillatin'g outstanding trunnions carriedfby said mold; a pair of pivoted arms having downwardly openin'g slots" engaging said trunnions, means for oppositely"reciprocating said arms to oscillate saidnn'olcli' on. its axis during'the filling thereof to compact thefi mix in" said'mold, said ,arms

beingin'ormally moved upwardly out of engagement' with said trunnion-s, means arranged above said mold for transmitting a sustaineddownward -force to said upper-pallet, the means for supportingsaid. mold comprising a supporting member" sustaining at' leasta-part' of the weight of said mold, a horizontal actuatingplate havingan -undulated-uppr face, rollers arrangedon said faceI means for horizontally reciprocating prov'i'ddwitlf an upper lindulated race,-

movement-o'n its axis; a pair of said plate, and means for transmitting to said supporting member the vertical movement of said rollers occurring incident to reciprocation of said plate.

9. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis vertically arranged, said mold having upper and lower end pallets the former of which is removable to permit the filling of the mold, means for supporting said mold for oscillating movement on its axis, a pair of outstanding trunnions carried by said mold, a pair of pivoted arms having downwardly opening slots engaging said trunnions, means for oppositely reciprocating said arms to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold, means for moving said arms to and maintaining them in an upper position out of engagement with said trunnions, means arranged above said mold for transmitting a sustained downward force to said upper pallet, the means for supporting said mold comprising a supporting member sustaining at least a part of the weight of said mold, and means for transmitting a vertical vibratory motion to said supporting member.

10. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis arranged vertically, said mold having upper and lower pallets the former of which is removable to permit filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through said lower pallet into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold, means for efiecting vertical movement of said inner mold member int-o and out of molding position, and driving means for said last named means including a clutch disengageable during oscillating move-' ment of said mold.

11. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis arranged vertically, said mold having upper and lower pallets the former of which is removable to permit filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through said lower pallet into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold, an internally threaded sleeve carried by said inner mold member, a vertical screw threaded in said sleeve, a rotatable shaft fixed against bodily movement with respect to said mold and oscillatable therewith, means driven by said shaft for rotating said screw to effect vertical movement of said inner mold member, a stationary rotatable drive shaft, and a clutch operable for connecting said shafts, said clutch being disengageable during oscillation of said mold.

12. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis arranged vertically, said mold having upper and lower pallets the former of which is removable to permit filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through said lower pallet into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold, an internally threaded sleeve carried by said inner mold member, a vertical screw threaded in said sleeve, and rotatable to effect vertical movement of said inner mold member into and out of molding position, said screw having a threaded body and upper and lower collars rotatable thereon and threaded to form continuations thereof, each collar being connected to the body of said threaded structure by an overrunning clutch whereby,'

when said sleeve moves toward and solely engages one of said collars the latter will be free to remain stationary during continued rotation of said threaded structure, a worm wheel carried by the body of said screw, a rotatable shaft fixed against bodily movement with respect to said mold, a worm carried by said shaft and engaging said wheel, a stationary rotatable drive shaft, and a clutch operable for connecting said shafts, said clutch being disengageable during oscillation of said mold.

13. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis arranged vertically, said mold having upper and lower pallets the former of which is removable to permit filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through said lower pallet into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold, an internally threaded sleeve carried by said inner mold member, a vertical screw threaded in said sleeve and rotatable to effect vertical movement of said inner mold member into and out of molding position, said screw having a threaded body and upper and lower collars rotatable thereon and threaded to form continuations thereof, each collar being connected to the body of said threaded structure by an overrunning clutch whereby, when said sleeve moves toward and solely engages one of said collars the latter will be free to remain stationary during continued rotation of said threaded structure, a worm wheel carried by the body of said screw, a rotatable shaft fixed against bodily movement with respect to said mold, a worm carried by said shaft and engaging said wheel, a stationary rotatable drive shaft, a clutch operable for connecting said shafts, said clutclr being disengageable during oscillation of said mold, said mold being turnable on its axis to a position aligning said shafts, and means biasing said mold for turning movement to such position.

14. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members, a pallet at each end of said mold members forming closures for the space therebetween, one pallet being stationary and the other being axially movable with respect to said mold members and removable to permit the filling of the mold, means operable for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mix therein, means for applying a sustained endwise force to said movable pallet to tend to compress the mix in the mold, and means for simultaneously subjecting the mold to a vertical vibratory movement, to provide a resultant product of uniformly high density.

15. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members, a pallet at each end of said mold members forming closures for the space therebetween, one pallet being tationary and the other being axially movable with respect to said mold members and removable to permit the filling of the mold, means operable for oscillating said mold 'on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mix therein, a fluid, pressure operated dcvice having a pressure movable member arranged to transmit to said movable pallet a force exerted axially of the mold to tend to compress the mix therein, and means for simultaneously subjecting the mold to a vertical vibratory movement, to provide a resultant product of uniformly high density.

16. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members, a pallet at each end of the mold forming a closure therefor, one pallet being stationary and the other being removable to permit the filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through one of said pallets into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof, and means operable wholly independently of said first named means for effecting axial movement of said inner mold member into and out of molding position.

17. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members, a pallet at each end of the mold forming a closure therefor, one pallet being stationary and the other being removable to permit the filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through one of said pallets into and out of molding position, means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof, means operable wholly independently of said first named means for effecting axial movement of said inner mold member into and out of molding position, and driving means for said last named means including a device for rendering said driving means inoperative during oscillating movement of the mold.

18. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis vertically arranged, said mold members having a lower stationary pallet and an upper vertically movable pallet which is removable ,to permit the filling of the mold, means connected to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mix therein, means for applying a sustained downward pressure to said movable pallet, a horizontal actuating member beneath said mold provided with an upper undulated face, rollers arranged on such face, means for transmitting to said rollers at least a portion of the weight of said mold, and means for horizontally reciprocating said actuating member to effect a vertical vibratory movement of said mold.

19. A molding apparatus comprising a mold in, and additional means for applying a sustained downward force to said upper pallet to provide a resultant product of uniformly high density.

20. A molding apparatus comprising a mold having concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis arranged vertically, said mold members having upper and lower pallets the former of which is movable to permit filling of the mold, said inner mold member being axially slidable through said lower pallet into and out of molding position, means for effecting vertial movement of said inner mold member into and out of molding positions, and means for oscillating said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to compact the mix in said mold.

21. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis vertically arranged, said mold members having a lower stationary pallet and an upper vertically movable pallet which is removable to permit the filling of the mold, means connected to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mix therein, and means for subjecting said mold to a vertical vibratory movement to provide a resultant product of uniformly high density.

22. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis Vertically arranged, said mold having upper and lower end pallets the former of which is removable to permit the filling of the mold, means for supporting said mold for oscillating movement on its axis, a pair of outstanding trunnions carried by said mold, a pair of pivoted arms having downwardly opening slots engaging said trunnions, means for oppositely reciprocating said arms to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling thereof to com pact the mix in said mold, said arms being normally movable upwardly out of engagement with said trunnions, and means for transmitting a vertical vibratory motion to said supporting means.

23. A molding apparatus comprising a mold formed of concentric inner and outer mold members having their axis vertically arranged, said mold members having a lower stationary pallet and an upper vertically movable pallet which is removable to permit the filling of the mold, means connected to oscillate said mold on its axis during the filling of the mold to compact the mix therein, a horizontal actuating member beneath said mold provided with an upper undulated face, rollers arranged on such face, means for transmitting to said rollers at least a portion of the weight of said mold, and means for horizontally reciprocating said actuating member to eifect a vertical vibratory movement of said mold members.

EDWARD D. BOYLE. 

